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- What's On Weekly Bulletin
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- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
Date Published: 15/03/2024
Europe imposes the first major sentence for nitrate pollution in the Mar Menor
The EU Court ruled that the Region of Murcia government did not apply "additional measures" before 2020 to protect the lagoon
Spain has been condemned by the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to take adequate measures to protect the Mar Menor from agricultural nitrate pollution. The court found that the regional government failed to implement additional measures to address the problem of chemical run-off from nearby farms and agricultural land despite being aware of the issue since 2015.
The ruling comes after a lengthy investigation by the European Commission, which found that Spain violated the EU's Nitrates Directive, which sets limits on the amount of nitrates that can be used in agriculture to prevent water pollution. The commission discovered that nitrate levels in the Mar Menor and surrounding aquifers exceeded the allowed limits, posing a threat to human health and the environment.
The court's decision is significant because it holds Spain accountable for its failure to address the issue, despite having the necessary resources and knowledge to do so. The ruling also underscores the importance of protecting sensitive ecosystems like the Mar Menor, which provides habitat for a variety of plant and animal species and supports local fisheries and tourism.
The Spanish government has been harshly criticised for its slow response to the nitrate pollution problem, which has persisted for decades. Environmental organisations have called for stronger regulations and enforcement to prevent further damage to the Mar Menor and other vulnerable ecosystems.
While the court's decision is a step forward in holding governments accountable for environmental protection, there is still much work to be done to address the root causes of nitrate pollution. Agricultural run-off remains a significant source of nitrates in the Mar Menor, and efforts to reduce usage and improve waste management practices are ongoing.
In fact, after hearing the sentence, regional government spokesperson Marcos Ortuño was quick to point out that the judged period is only from 2016 to 2019, "and it is from 2019 onwards that numerous measures have been implemented to protect the Mar Menor."
He added that the contamination of aquifers "does not respond to current agricultural practices".
The European Commission has pledged to continue monitoring Spain's progress in addressing the issue and will likely impose financial penalties until the country complies with the Nitrates Directive. For its part, the Spanish government has committed to implementing new measures to protect the Mar Menor, including restrictions on fertiliser use and improved inspections of agricultural operations.
Just last week, G's España and its business holding company, located in Torre Pacheco, was the subject of a proposal to be fined 1.1 million euros for their involvement in environmental pollution. An investigation found that the multinational was responsible for dumping 1.91 cubic hectometres of brine with high concentrations of salt and nitrates into the Albujón Rambla, which flows into the Mar Menor. This staggering amount of contaminated water is enough to fill 767 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Image: Pacto por el Mar Menor
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